Catching Lana: Alaska Blizzard

By Kat Mizera

U.S. Marine Corps Major Mark Garrison turns heads when he's not trying to be invisible. He's the whole package and he's looking to try something new when he heads off to Alaska to meet with billionaire Gage Caldwell. Things look even better when the sexy redhead he's been lusting after practically falls into his lap.

At six-foot-one, Lana Callahan has always felt awkward around men. Her job as a sports and entertainment publicist puts her around celebrities on a regular basis, but she shies away from hot guys. A new assignment from her boss takes her to Alaska to tame the reputation of a professional hockey player, and she finds herself face-to-face with the one hottie she can't resist.

Lana's wary of getting too close to the gorgeous Marine she's been fantasizing about for two years, but he isn't giving up. Just as things heat up between them, her client's past catches up to them, putting Lana in the crosshairs. Mark's first assignment for Mr. Caldwell could very well be his last, and this time Lana might slip through his fingers for good.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kat Mizera
• Release date: Jan 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215708866

Kat Mizera

USA Today Bestselling author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust. She's lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach. Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Alaska Blizzard. The library of novels she's penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, special forces heroes, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world, and melt your heart.

Book preview

1

Mark Garrison walked into the terminal at San Francisco International Airport with a quick wave to his buddy, who’d just dropped him off. He’d just finished an assignment from his new boss and getting ready to head out for another one. Though he was excited about this new professional journey he was on, sleeping in different beds every night was getting old. At least he’d be in Anchorage for three or four weeks, which was better than a night here and a night there.

He’d recently retired from the U.S. Marines and had gone to work as a bodyguard for a company called Westfield Security. He’d known the owner, Joe Westfield, from their time in the military together and Joe had reached out when he’d heard that Mark was retiring. It had been a hard decision because he’d loved being a Marine. But there was a lot of bad stuff that happened too.

He'd been stationed in Afghanistan during a mission that had gone terribly wrong. An IED had cost his closest friend and commanding officer, Shay Gentry, his life, and left their friend Erin Riser with scars covering forty percent of her body. It had been six years, and sometimes he still had nightmares about Shay and Erin getting blown up right in front of him. After four years of ROTC and nearly twelve years of active duty, something deep inside of him had begun pulling him away from the only career he’d ever wanted.

You never stopped being a Marine, but in his heart of hearts, he’d been ready to do something different. He’d worked his way up to major and had worked in counter-intelligence, so he had options with the CIA, NSA and even the FBI, but none of them called to him. Not really. Erin had reminded him about Joe’s company and they’d talked. He’d balked at first, but after meeting with Joe a few times and going on a few trial runs, he’d put in his retirement papers and decided to be a bodyguard.

He’d completed a few weeks of general training and had just finished his first solo assignment guarding a pop star for a special appearance. That was done and now he was heading off to Anchorage, Alaska for the next job. He would be on security detail for a guy who owned the professional hockey team up there, the Alaska Blizzard. He’d never been to Alaska, so he was looking forward to exploring a new area since he’d been told he wouldn’t be working more than thirty hours a week.

After passing through security, he headed for the bar, hoping to have a couple of drinks before the flight. He came around the corner just as a tall, voluptuous woman with incredibly green eyes walked right into him. Oh! Her eyes rounded with dismay as she took a step back. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.

No problem. He steadied her with one hand, unable to tear his eyes away from hers; so green, so big, so beguiling. And so familiar. His heart nearly stopped when he recognized her: Lana Callahan. Holy shit, this was his lucky day. Hi, Lana.

Oh. Hi. Lana blinked and nodded, abruptly holding out her hand in a stiff vertical position. Nice to see you again.

Likewise. He couldn’t help a slow smile at her deliciously awkward but endearing movements. Would you like to have a drink before your flight?

She flushed pink, shaking her head. Oh, um, I don’t think… Her voice trailed off as a voice came over the loudspeaker.

Flight 4433 to Anchorage, Alaska has been delayed one hour.

Shit, she muttered.

Are you flying to Anchorage?

Yes. Her eyes met his curiously.

Believe it or not, so am I.

I, er, it’s a business trip for me. I have a meeting with someone on the pro hockey team there.

From the Blizzard? He shook his head in disbelief Maybe this was more than his lucky day. I’m going to be working with the owner for a few weeks.

Oh! She turned red again. Wow, that’s, um…

Let’s get a drink, he said with a smile, finding her shyness refreshing. We can catch up.

Erin talks about you guys all the time.

Us guys?

The guys from her old unit.

We’re all still very close, he nodded, motioning to the bartender. Whatever you’ve got on draught for me, and for the lady? He turned to her.

White wine, she said absently. House brand is fine.

The bartender disappeared and Mark motioned to the stool beside him. We’ve got time. You might as well sit and relax.

Yes, okay. Thank you.

Lana’s heart did a little bumpety-bump when Mark smiled at her. She was always awkward around cute guys, but she’d definitely brought her A game with that ridiculous handshake and her inability to stop blushing. Why was she always so dumb in front of men? Probably because she was taller than most of them and didn’t have enough experience with them to be comfortable. She’d met Mark on multiple occasions and found him so sexy she sometimes couldn’t think straight when he looked at her, so she’d started avoiding him whenever he showed up at an event with their friend Erin.

She let out a sad sigh, hoping no one heard her, but Mark did and cocked his head inquisitively.

So are you going to work for the Blizzard?

Oh, no. We have a client on the team and my boss, Kate, wants me to keep an eye on him, set up some interviews, work on a new press kit. He’s gotten some bad press lately and our job is to fix that.

You can’t do that from Vegas?

Technically, I live in New York City, but I’ve been spending more and more time in Vegas with Kate. And no, Kate and I think I need to be there for a few weeks to stay on top of the situation. Kate thinks his recent injury is going to make him spiral again.

Again?

Long story. She smiled at the bartender when he set down her glass of wine. What do you do, Mark? Are you still in the Marines? What’s in San Francisco?

I retired from the military and started working as a bodyguard for Westfield Security. I was in Vegas for a few weeks training and San Francisco was my first solo assignment.

I didn’t realize you’d retired.

Mark hesitated. I love being in the Marines but I felt the need for a change. When this came up, I got to meet the owner and the guy he works with, Chains, and it feels like a good fit. You know, a way to utilize my skills, protect people, and make decent money. Hopefully without watching anyone else I care about die.

I’m sorry for your losses, Lana said softly. I’ve always wished I wasn’t so awkward and clumsy and could do something as important as fight for my country.

What you do is important too, he responded. We all have our strengths and purpose—maybe yours is to be tall and sexy and make men’s knees shake a little when you look down at them.

Lana flushed pink. I’m pretty sure I don’t make anyone’s knees shake… Usually I trip over my own two feet and wind up looking up at them like an idiot.

I should be so lucky, he murmured with a soft smile. Because then I’d be the one to catch your fall.

Lana was so flustered as she reached for her wine glass that she wound up knocking it over. She jumped out of her seat just in time to avoid the contents pouring onto her lap, a string of curses escaping her.

Easy. Mark grabbed a nearby rag the bartender had left, sopping up the wine as Lana watched in horror.

I’ve got it. The bartender appeared, cleaning up the mess and setting another glass of wine in front of her.

I’m sorry, Mark said softly. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.

My fault, Lana sighed. I told you I’m clumsy. And I’m not used to men flirting with me, so I always do dumb stuff when they do.

I have a thing for tall women and probably say stuff I shouldn’t, he admitted. Forgive me?

His blue eyes were so sweet and sincere she couldn’t help but smile. Of course.

Just an FYI, I think tall women are gorgeous. How tall are you?

Six one, she mumbled.

Wow, he said quietly. I’m six feet even and I’ve been waiting my whole life for a beautiful woman who’s taller than I am... Will you marry me?

2

Mark watched Lana go from a cute shade of pink to snow-white and felt a moment of guilt for teasing her. She was just so damn adorable, he couldn’t help himself. He’d honestly spent most of his adult life fantasizing about a woman who was tall like she was but he figured he’d better dial things back before she died of embarrassment. He thought it was cute, but based on the horrified look in her eyes, she genuinely had no clue how beautiful she was.

I’m kidding, he said softly. Not about how beautiful you are or that I like tall women, but you know, we should wait at least a week or two before I propose.

You’re going to give me a heart attack, Lana murmured, carefully picking up her glass and taking a ladylike sip.

I’m sorry, Mark said. I can’t seem to help myself. I think you’re beautiful and usually when I meet someone who looks like you they’re stuck-up and prissy.

Lana’s big green eyes widened as she looked at him, her cheeks turning pink again. Then she smiled—a ravishing, full-mouth, glorious smile that essentially sucked all the air out of his lungs. You think I’m pretty enough to be stuck-up?

He made sure his face was completely serious as he said, "I think you’re beautiful enough to be both stuck-up and prissy, but I’m glad you’re not."

Lana stared at him